Custer chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, Black Hills, D.T. [S.D.]) 1880-1890, 1887-10-22
COLONEL WILLIAM WALKER.
Brief Sketch Of the Career Of the Man Who
Invaded Nicaragua--His Struggles and

Tragic Death.
Some time during next month, says
the Alta California, a grand reunion
will be held at Louisville of the sur
viving members of the old phalanx of
bold spirits that over twenty years
ago invaded Nicaragua under the fam
GUS Gray-Eyed Man OF Destiny, Col
onel William Walker. otherwise termed
the wild Filibuster." The survivors
are not many. They numbered sew
eral hundred in the first place.
The history of Colonel Walkers ad-
venturers in the Nicaraguan state read
like a romance and forms an intensely
interesting chapter in the history of
Spanish America.
In May, 1854, affairs in the Nicar-
aguan republic were in a critical con
ditiop. There were two parties-thc
Democrats and the Legit;nists. The
latter were in the ascondency and had
exilcd the leaders Of the opposition
party. In the month mentioned these
exiles returned surreptitiously from
Tiger island, and landed at Realejeo,
which they captured, and then pro-
ceeded to Chinandega. At that point
they proceeded to organize a revolu-
ton againt the existing authorities.
These revolutionists INCLUDED ID. Max
well Jerez, ID. Mateo Pincda and ID.
Jose Maria Vale. At Gilman
dega they were joined by a great
many enthusiasts in their cause.
and then proceeded to march on Leon,
Reaching there a provisional govern
ment was established. ID. Francisco
Castellop was elected director. An as
sault was made upon Grenada by Jerez
and his men, but it availed nothing,
and Jcrez was forced to retreat in dis
order.
1t was about this time that Colonel
Walker returned TO San Francisco from
his Inflated Lower California expedi-
ton. He became aware of the condi-
ton of the government in Nicaragua,
and Immediately saw IL grand opening
for more adventure. Il was a daring
scheme for him to entertain, that OF
a body of men to the scene of
the trouble and participating in it:
still it was in accord with his wild grit.
He succeeded in obtaining from Castel-
lon a grant to introduce 800 Americans
into Nicaragua with the privilege of
bearing arms. The idea was to get an
element into the country that would
assist in its regeneration.
No secrecy was used in organizing
the band of "colonists." Walker
showed the grant to the district attor-
ney of the United States for the north
ern district of California, Hon. S. Inge,
who declared that no law would be vi
under it. Walker her sailed
from San Francisco with a band of men
in the brig Vesta for Realejo.
His intention was to assist the dem
ocratic forces in Nicaragua. He ar
rived at Realejo on June IL, 1855, with
sixty-two followers. On bis arrival he
found that affairs in Nicaragua had
taken a bad turn for the democratic
party. The provisional government
was confined to the occidental division
of the state and legitamists held the
oriental and meridianal departments.
Walker was pleased at the desperate
condition of the Cas.ellon party, as it
would naturally be more inclined 10 re-
ceive him with open arms. He was not
mistaken, and at Castellon's request he
formed his followers into la falange
Observation-Disclosures phalanx. Walk
er's first military movement was 70 ad-
vance on Rivas, the stronghold of the
the iegitimists. After a desperate
struggle ha vas forced TO retreat with
a loss of one man. In addition TO his
Americans, Walker had natives in his
service.
The next action took place at Virgin
bay. in which he was triumphant. On
October Is Walker took possession of
the city of Granada, and by a treaty
with Corral, the opposing leader was
made generalissimo. Corral was tried
for treason by q court martial, over
which Walker presided. On November
8 Corral was shot. As success crowned
Walkers struggles, SO did interest in
Els cause increase in the United States.
Shipping offices were opened in the
leading cities, and recruits were plcnti-
full.
On March /, 1866, Walker had over
1900 Americans under his control. His
star of destiny was in the ascendant,
and his dreams of contest were well
nigh realized. But he now had an
other difficulty on his hands. Costa
RIGA declared war against him.
Walker got his army in motion and
advanced on the Costa Ricans.
A battle took place at Guanacaste on
March 20. Walker was defeated, but
in q second battle that occurred at Ri
vas he once more obtainsd the advant-
age. Hostilities ceased with this bat
tie, the Costa Ricans being much de-
pressed. Cholera was also prevailing
IN their state.
Walker now carried matters further
in Nicaragua by breaking up the inter-
oceanic route, and contiscating the
property and revoking the charter OF
the Vanderbilt Steamship Company.
He followed this act by becoming pres.